Dancing On Ice star Mikey Graham barely spoke to his Boyzone band-mate Shane Lynch for 15 years after a bizarre argument over car exhaust pipes.

The two pop heart-throbs ignored each other off-stage despite the band's brotherly image to their army of fans.

It was only when Boyzone made their comeback that the pair healed their "ridiculous" rift - and became best pals.

Shane, 33, revealed their 15 years of frostiness as Mikey, 37, prepared to take to the ice tonight for his first live performance in the hit ITV show.

In an exclusive interview with The People, Shane said: "For many years me and Mikey were the furthest apart - I mean we didn't get on AT ALL.

"When the band formed in 1993 I was 17, mad about cars and working as a car mechanic. Mikey was 21 and also a car mechanic but a more advanced one. One day we fell out. It wasn't really 'spanner envy' but, quite ridiculously, we fell out over a bloody exhaust pipe.

"I remember it clearly. I was always into the racing side of cars and Mikey was more a straight mechanic on your average car.

"We were discussing the exhaust pipe and how it would get the car to go a little bit faster and he told me I was talking absolute nonsense and that was impossible.

"And, believe it or not, we fell out over that and we didn't talk for years. We worked together but there was always the clear understanding that at that moment we were two individuals who had absolutely nothing in common.'

"We didn't totally ignore each other but we never hung out together. I'd hang out with Ronan and Stephen while Keith and Mikey hung out because they were closer in age.

"That's just how it always was, right up until our comeback two years ago.

"When we got back together to tour it was just very apparent that we were all adults. We all wanted the same things from life, shared the same values. All five of us instantly became very, very close and understood each other.

"Ever since then Mikey and I have become really good pals and he's actually a brilliant lad to know. He is a very, very knowledgeable guy, a great reader and he's very, very wise."

Shane also told how Boyzone - rocked by the death of Stephen Gately in October - struggled to record a heart-rending video for their new single which goes out on radio tomorrow.

Poignant

The track was recorded months before Stephen, 33, died from natural causes while on holiday in Majorca and is the last to feature his distinctive voice.

The poignant lyrics in "Gave It All Away" caused Shane, Mikey and remaining band-mates Ronan Keating, 32, and Keith Duffy, 35, to repeatedly break down as they filmed the musical farewell.

Boyzone's album - which they have decided to rename "Brothers" in tribute to Stephen - is due out in March.

But Shane confessed it could prove the band'swansong as the lads still don't know if they will be able to continue without "Steo". Shane said: "The big question for Boyzone at the moment is whether we will ever tour again. We'd started the album before Stephen passed and it's a journey we want to complete.

"But we don't know what the next chapter's going to be, without Steo, because we don't know how we feel. It could be the end of everything."

Mikey has been fitting his Dancing On Ice training around preparations for the release of Boyzone's new single and album - in which he features more prominently than ever.

Shane said: "The sound and direction of the band are very different now. Stephen's voice was so distinctive - it was sweet and innocent and it was a pop voice. Now he's not there the sound of Boyzone has changed a lot.

"Mikey has played a huge part in that. Once upon a time his voice was too mature for Boyzone - so were the songs he wrote - and that was never allowed to be expressed in Boyzone at the time.

"Now we've all matured and this is the perfect time for Mikey. He's played a stormer in the studio. I think our new sound is sort of Coldplay meets U2 and I hope it's going to appeal to our old fans and a lot of new ones."

The single Gave it All Away, written by Mika, was recorded by Boyzone nearly two years ago but was shelved because of royalty problems.

Shane said: "When Steo passed, it all took on so much more meaning because of the irony of the title and the lyrics and Stephen singing them, so we were desperate to get it for the album.

"Then Ronan was in LA and he bumped into Mika in a hotel lift. He'd broken his foot and couldn't walk to his car. So good old Ro just picked him up and carried him. Mika was so touched he said 'Whatever happens lads, the record's yours'."

Hearing Stephen singing with them again was a bitter-sweet experience for Boyzone. Shane said: "The video day was horrible - absolutely horrible - and even in the finished version you'll see us all crying. The concept was that we were writing our last letters to Steo. At times I was laughing because it brought back great memories but sometimes I couldn't take it. I'd just break down and I had to get out."

Shane says the months since Stephen died have been a roller-coaster of laughter and tears.

He recalled: "When Stephen passed we all flew out to Majorca to bring him home. On the plane Stephen's back there in the coffin, in the cargo, but it feels like we are all together again so we're actually laughing and joking, like we always did.

"But then we didn't want the plane to land because it felt like a last moment together, that it would mean it was over."

The band have agreed that for the rest of their lives they will get together once a year on St Patrick's Day - Stephen's March 17 birthday.

While the Boyzone lads ponder their future they still have a lot to do as a band.

Shane said: "We've got a busy time ahead promoting the album. If we start to think 'You know what lads, this feels OK' then we will crack on. But if it doesn't feel right we might say 'Let's call it a day' and this could be the last album. It could be the end of everything.

"We just don't know at the moment, but I hope we come together. I hope it works for us."